Device for sharpening knives or the like



I Dec. 9, 1947. L. E. ELPHEE 2,432,231

DEVICE FOR, SHARPENING KNIVES OR THE LIKE Filed Dep. zo, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 zal n Q5.`

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Dec. 9, 1947. 1 E. ELPHEE 2,432,231

DEVICE FOR SHARPENING KNIVES OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 20, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 9, T947 `DEVllCE FOR SHARPENINGVKNIVES OR THE LIKE Leon E. Elphee, Newark, N. J., assigner to Design Service, Inc., Jersey City, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 20, 1945, Serial No. 636,176

6 Claims. 1

My invention relates to improvements in sharpeners for knives or the like.

An important object of this invention is to provide a sharpener for knives or the like, in which the sharpening or cutting elements are adjustable to provide the maximum number of sharpening or cutting faces for one set of elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sharpener for making a correct edge on knives or the like, to be used by those unskilled in such art.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sharpener whose cutting elements provide the maximum cutting or sharpening surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sharpener having means for maintaining equal pressure against both sides of the blade being sharpened, for accommodating blades of various thicknesses, and for eliminating the necessity of applying heavy pressure or force to the blade being sharpened.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character so constructed that in a Very small space, there is the equivalent of grinding wheels of large diameters.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character which will cut at both sides of the blade and give a very ne keen edge and prevent a one sided edge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character which will produce a hollow ground effect.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character which will sharpen the blade and will not peel ofi slivers of steel which is a disadvantage encountered in connection with hardened steel Sharpeners.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a sharpener whichy is compact, safe to use, and which may be secured to the working table or surface without the use of nails, screws or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals.

are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the knife sharpening device embodying my invention and showing the same in use,

vFigure 2 is a plan view of the device,

VFigure 3 is a side elevation of the device taken at right angles to Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on lined- 4 of Figure 5, and showing parts in elevation,

Figure 5 is. a' vertical section taken'on line 5-5 of Figure 2, and showing the cutting elements in elevation,

Figure 6 is a horizontal section through the sharpening or cutting elements, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 3, and

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken. on line 'l--l of Figure 3. Y

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a modified form of knife sharpening device embodying my invention,

Figure 9 is a similar view taken ata right angle to Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on line IIJ-I0 of Figure l1,

Figure 11 is a similar view taken on line II-II of Figure 10,

Figure 12 vis a side elevation of one of the sharpening or grinding elements,

Figure 13 is an edge elevation of the same,

Figure 14 is a side elevation of modied sharpening or grinding elements, and,

Figure 15 is a detailed section of a modied form of suction cup and associated attaching means.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment loi' my invention, the numeral I designates a cylindrical base, having upstanding sides l', preferably formed integral therewith. VThe opposed sides 'I' have openings 8. The cylindrical base I forms an upper shoulder 9 and this base 'is provided with a depending annular marginal flange IU. Arranged beneath the base 1 is a'suction cup II, formed of rubber or the like, having an annular groove I2, for receiving the marginal iiange I0. The base 'I is provided upon its upper face with a radial groove I3, for receiving a resilient element I4, preferably formed of rubber. This resilient element has its upper end tapered, as shown at I5.

Arranged between the sides l' is a pair of generally flat sharpening or cutting elements I6, preferably formed of Carborundum stone or other suitable material. These sharpening or cutting elementsv are 'identical and are interchangeable. Each sharpening or cutting element is provided uponone face with longitudinal ribs I1, spaced to provide a recess I8 between them and outer recesses I8'. Upon its opposite face, each element I6 has longitudinal ribs I9, spaced to provide recesses 2U. The ribs `I'l are staggered with respect to the ribs lftf'sothatv the ribs I1 will enter the passages 29 of the companion sharpening or cutting element and the ribs I9 will enter the passages I8 and I8 of the companion sharpening or cutting element. The ribs I1 and I9 taper longitudinally in opposite directions and have grinding or cutting faces which are longitudinally curved. The longitudinal ribs are formed on arcs having large diameters, such as three inches. The construction and arrangement is such that in a very small space, there is provided the equivalent of grinding or sharpening wheels of large diameters, such as four inches. The cutting or grinding elements I6 are enclosed which prevents any particles of Carborundum or steel from falling on the working surface, such as acovered sink, table or the like, in the presence of food. The pivots for the grinding or cutting elements are eccentric with relationl to the curved* surfaces of the ribs.

The openings 8 receive horizontal pivot ele- 'r'nents'oipins 2I,'extending through openings 22, formed in the cutting or sharpening elements IS. These openings 22 are at the longitudinal and transverse centers4 of the cutting or sharpening elements IG.

The numeral 23 designates an outer case, which is preferably exteriorly circular in horizontal cross section and has an upper reduced extension 2li providedwith a transverse diametrically extending slot 26. The outer case 23 has an inner chamber 21, preferably rectangular in horizontal cross section, for receiving the upstanding sides 1', and the case extension 24 also has an inner chamber 28, preferably rectangular in horizontal cross section. Near its bottom, the case 23 has a horizontal shoulder 29, to engage with the shoulder 9 of the base 'I and this case also has a depending marginal flange 3l), to engage with the marginal portion of the suction cup I I and clamp the same tothe flange I0. The outer case 23 may have a snap fit upon the base 1.

In assembling the various elements of the device, the suction cup I I may first be applied to the lower face of the base 1. The cutting or grinding elements I6 are now passed between the upstanding 'sides 1', and the ribs I1 of one element I intert with the ribs I9 as a companion element I6. The pivot elements or pins 22 are now passed through the openings S in the sides 1 and the openings 22 of the cutting or grinding elements I6; The cutting and grinding elements are therefore pivotally supported by the sides 1' and project above the same. The resilient element Ill now held within the groove I3 engages between the lower ends ofthe ribs I1 and I9 of the cutting ,or grinding elements IB and serves to spread the lower ends of these elements. The outer case may now be placed upon the base I and will enclosev the sides 1 and grinding or cutting elements I6. The slot 26 is now parallel with the inner sides of the cutting or grinding elements i5.

The blade 3l' to be sharpened is now inserted into the slot 2S and brought into engagement with the curved faces of the ribs I1 and I9. This blade is now moved longitudinally. This blade will now pass between the adjacent face portions of the ribs- I1 and I9, neXt to each other, and these face portions constitute in effect a continuous cutting surface. The extent of cutting or sharpening ac tion is regulated by the downward pressure upc-n the blade 3 I, the upper ends of the sharpening or cutting element IB yielding outwardly, in opposiu tion to the resilient element I6.

When corresponding upper end portions of the then inner sets ofribs AHand I9 wear, the cut- 4 ting or grinding elements I6 may be removed as a unit and inverted and again placed upon the pins 22, thus bringing their lower ends into the operative position. When both ends of the then inner sets of ribs I1 and I9 become worn, the cutting or grinding elements I6 are removed and their then outer ribs I1 and I9 are arranged innermost or next to each other and the thus assembled cutting or grinding elements IB are again positioned between the sides 'I' and mounted upon Vthe pins 8. The assembled cutting and grinding elements I6 may be inverted to utilize the lower end portions of the then inner ribs I1 and I9, for the reason stated. It is thus seen that the cutting or grinding elements I6 are adjustable to four positions forV presenting the ribs for cutting ory grinding purposes. i

The form of the device shown in Figures 8 to 13, comprises a circular base 3l, having a marginal depending flange 32. Arranged beneath the base 3l is a suction -cupr3 3, preferably formed of rubber. This suction cup has-an upper shank 34, provided with an annular groove 35, for receiving the annular flange of an attaching ring 36. This` attaching ring has a press fit within the annular ange 32 and the ring 36 is permanently secured to the shank 34.

I contemplate omitting the attaching ring 36, and when this is done, the suction cup 33 has a shank 34', extending into the flange 32 and engaging therewith and held in place by cement or the like, Figure 15.

Formed integral with the base 3I are vertical sides 31, which are spaced and parallel, as shown. The base 3| is provided with lugs 38', at the transverse centers of the sides 31. The base 3I has ribs 3l', to limit the inward movement of the upper ends of the sharpening elements, to be described. The sides 31 are provided near their upper ends with openings 38 for removably receving pivot elements or pins 39.

In the present form of the invention, I provide sharpening or grinding elements 4I), which are duplicates, reversable and interchangeable. Each sharpening element is preferably formed of aluminum oxide, In producing the sharpening element, the aluminum oxide powder is mixed with a binder and the mass is subjected to high pressure and is subsequently fired or vitrolized. This is the conventional sharpening or grinding material. The sharpening element may also be formed of carborundum or other suitable material. Each sharpening element is flat, relatively narrow and elongated. Satisfactory results are had by forming the sharpening element l" long. They have a width of at their longitudinal and transverse centers and a thickness of 1/8. The sharpening element is provided at its transverse and longitudinal centers with an opening 4I, which is formed when the sharpening element is molded. The sharpening element tapers longitudinally toward its opposite ends, providing curved grinding or sharpening faces 42 and 43. The lower grinding faces 42 are formed upon radii of 11/2 from the points 45, Tie" above the center line d, while the upper curved faces 43 are formed upon radii 11/2 from the centers 41, 11g" beneath the center line. From actual tests which l have made, I have found that this precise curvaf,

i 40 in' one'set are alternately arranged with respect to the sl'iarpeningelements in the other set, and

theircurved cutting edgesI arestaggered and' inr4teriit. Portions of thesecutting edges therefore overlap. The elongated cutting yelements are all separate and-independently moveable and hence they can readily shift to Aaccommodate a blade havingslight local bends. The cutting elements 740 are duplicates and interchangeable and therefore provide four grinding surfaces for each cutting element, as explained in connection'with the first form of the invention. Thev cutting edges of the elements 40 correspond to the ribs of the cuttingnelements in the rst'form of the invention.

The lowerY ends of thel cutting elements lll) engage aresilient strip -orvblock d8, which may be formed of rubber and held within a slot 49 in the base 3|.

In Figure 14, I have shown cutting or grinding elements 40', corresponding tothe grinding elements 4D, but having an increased taper toward their opposite ends. These cutting elements 4l) are mounted upon a single pivot 39', carried by the sides 3l. Suitable resilient means will be employed to oppose the outward swinging movement of the upper ends of the elements 40'.

The numeral 58 designates the casing. provided at its bottom with an annular iiange 5|, and a shoulder 52. The base 3| has a snap t in the flange 5|, so that the base may be separated from the casing 50, when desired. The casing 50 is provided at its top with a reduced portion 53, which is preferably square in horizontal crosssection. This casing extension has a vertical slot 54, extending parallel with the pins 39 and horizontally spaced for equal distances from these pins. This slot receives the blade and guides the same between the edges of the sets of sharpening elements 40.

The casing 5'1 is provided at the shoulder 52 with notches 55, to receive the lugs 38. When the base 3| is inserted into the ange 5|, the lugs 38 must enter the notches 55 before the base 3l can be completely seated. This arrangement assures that the assembled cutting elements 40 will be in proper position with respect to the slot 54.

To sharpen th-e blade, the device is secured to a table top or other surface by means of the suction cup 33. The blade is inserted into the slot 54, and is arranged between the cutting edges of the sets of elements 40, and moved longitudinally in engagement therewith. By virtue of the reduced casing extension 53, the end of the blade next to the handle may be brought into engagement with the sharpening elements so that the blade can be sharpened substantially throughout its entire length.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope Iof the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A device for sharpening knives or the like, comprising a support, elongated sharpening elements being adapted to be arranged in opposed relation, each sharpening element being provided upon its opposite faces with longitudinally ex- 'tending-spaced ribs, each 'rib being tapered toward Vits opposite' ends,-the sharpening elements being identical and interchangeable so that the ribsr of one sharpening 'element interi-lt with the ribs of the" companionV sharpening element, pivot elementsv carried by the support and passing through the sharpening elements near their transverse and longitudinal centers, and yielding means to oppose the swingingmovements of the sharpensharpening elements being identical and interchangeable so' that' the ribs of one sharpening element intert with the ribs of the companion sharpening element, pivot elements carried by the support and passing through the sharpening elements near their transverse and longitudinal centers, and yielding means engaging the lower ends of the sharpening elements to spread such lower ends.

3. A device for sharpening knives or the like, comprising a support, a pair of spaced pivots carried bythe support, a set of iiat elongated sharpening elements having openings at their longitudinal and transverse centers for receiving one pivot, a second set of flat elongated sharpening elements having openings at their longitudinal and transverse centers for receiving the other pivot element, the sharpening elements of one set being arranged in staggered relation to the sharpening elements in the other set and interfitting, each sharpening element being individually moveable, yielding means engaging corresponding ends oi' the sets of sharpening elements to move their opposite ends together, and means to limit such movement of said opposite ends.

4. A device for sharpening knives or the like, comprising spaced upstanding supporting members having openings therein, a pair of spaced pivots removably mounted within the openings, an elongated sharpening unit provided substantially at its longitudinal and transverse center with opening means to removably receive one pivot, said unit including elongated sharpening elements which taper longitudinally toward their opposite ends, an elongated second sharpening unit provided substantially at its transverse and longitudinal center with opening means to removably receive the other pivot element, the second sharpening unit including elongated sharpening elements which taper longitudinally toward their opposite ends, the units being substantially identical and invertable in use, resilient means arranged between the lower ends of thelunits to spread such ends, and a case removably receiving the supporting members and having parts to cover the ends of the pivots to hold such pivots in place within their openings.

5. A device for sharpening knives or the like, comprising a base, an upstanding support carried by the base, a pair of spaced pivots mounted upon the upstanding support, upstanding elongated sharpening elements provided substantially at their longitudinal and transverse centers with openings which receive the pivot elements, each elongated sharpening element tapering toward .i ts opposite ends, a resilient element carried by the base and arranged between the lower ends of the 'sharpening elements,'and stop means carried by the base and arranged near the lower ends of the sharpening elements and outwardly of the same.

6. A device forA sharpening knives or the like, comprising a base, an upstanding support carried by the base, spaced pivots mounted upon the upstanding support, upstanding elongated sharpening elements provided substantially at their longitudinal and transverse centers with openings which receive the pivot elements, the sharpening elements being substantially identical, each sharpening element having its opposite longitudinal edges converging toward the opposite ends of the sharpening element so that the opposite ends are tapered, each sharpening element being reversible and interchangeable with the companion sharpening element, and a resilient element carried by the base and arranged between the lower ends of the sharpening elements to spread such lower ends.

' LEON E. ELPHEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number D. 82,929 5 1,909,743 2,262,401 1,041,631 602,192 1,570,083 10 2,249,218 1,134,587 1,083,490 2,151,205 2,140,901

Number France Nov. 17, 1927 

